Curated OER
Introducing Mythology
Pupils look closely at a poster of a Rembrandt painting and/or a transparency of a Greek vase, both of which represent the mythological story of the abduction of Europa. Studnets consider how two artists interpreted the same subject in a...
Curated OER
Descriptive Writing-The Hobbit
Young readers write a descriptive paper on the fantasy characters in The Hobbit. They take notes as they read the novel in order to provide descriptions of the character traits of hobbits, dwarfs, trolls, wizards, and goblins. They...
The New York Times
Writing Fiction Based on Real Science - NYTimes.com
Refuse to alienate your scientific-minded young scholars during your creative writing unit. Learners explore how literary writing can reflect observable fact, and be based in actual science. The links include examples of fiction and...
Curated OER
Linear and Exponential Functions
This comprehensive unit on linear and exponential functions provides numerous clearly-written worksheets. Topics include graphing linear equations, solving systems of equations algebraically and by graphing, identifying the domain and...
Writing Educators Symposium
Asking the Right Questions
It can be difficult to find the theme of a book or story if you don't know the questions to ask. Teach your kids to discern the universal theme in works of literature with a set of activities that promote critical thinking and...
Curated OER
Same Setting, Different Moods: Voice and Word Choice Using Lord of the Flies
Whether it's dark, delightful, or somber, set the mood with William Golding's Lord of the Flies. High-schoolers practice descriptive writing by creating the appropriate mood for an original scene, starring one of the book's main...
Curated OER
Creating Characters
Students examine the methods of effective characterization. In this writing skills lesson, students discuss how emotions, dialogue, actions, and physical descriptions build believable characters. Students then use the methods of...
Curated OER
Write a Round-Robin Story
Students discover the elements of a story (introduction, plot, climax, resolution, denouement). In groups of five, one student writes an introduction and passes it to the next person, who writes the plot and passes it to the next person,...
Curated OER
Oliver Twist Goes to Hollywood
How does Oliver Twist, the novel written by Charles Dickens, compare with its screenplay adaptation? Although the activity doesn't require learners to have read the novel, the similarities and differences of the highlighted passages...
Curated OER
Conflict and Cooperation
Learners investigate conflict resolution. In this world conflict lesson, students examine the roles of NATO, the UN, and the EU in diplomacy issues. Learners look into the conflict in the Balkans that prompted the Bosnian War.
Curated OER
How Does Power Affect Conflict?
Young scholars use several short stories to analyze different types of power. While discussing the role of power in these short stories, students will practice communication skills essential to conflict transformation, specifically...
Curated OER
How Do Conflicts Escalate?
Students examine, evaluate and understand the concept of conflict, conflict escalation and colflict resolution through a variety of creative interactions.
Curated OER
Project-Based Learning: Improbable History
Students explore conflict. In this contemporary history lesson plan, students participate in 4 weekly activities that require them to research current conflicts and create time-travel cartoons that illustrate how the conflcits...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Family Ties
Students discuss the qualities needed for a strong family and marriage and identify and compare the strengths of various ethnic families. After viewing a Powerpoint presentation on family and marriage strengths and needs, they take a...
Curated OER
Short Story Lesson
Students examine short stories and identify setting, characters, points of view, theme and plot. This lesson develops an appreciation and understanding of short stories.
Curated OER
Crossroads Cafe: "Who's the Boss?" Act 1
Students pronounce key phrases during a story. They discuss the story setting and the roles of the characters. They explain the problems the main characters face.
Curated OER
Dealing with Conflict
Learners identify types of conflict and various responses to anger. In this character education lesson plan, the teacher introduces definitions of conflict and anger responses. Students find examples of types of conflict in newspapers...
Curated OER
Rudyard Kipling's "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi": Mixing Fact and Fiction
"Rikki-Tikki-Tavi," from The Jungle Book, offers young readers a chance to examine how Rudyard Kipling uses setting and personification to bring to life the brave mongoose who battles cobras to protect his family. Class members...
Curated OER
Gift of the Magi
While reading O Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," your class will define and identify situational irony and allusion. Use a study guide (not included, but easy to produce) to record and discuss examples of allusion as you read. Map the...
Curated OER
Against the Odds
What factors help people achieve goals? What factors prevent people from achieving goals? What are the elements that need to be in place to make a team function well? Using Damien Lewis’ Desert Claw and John Francome’s Winner Takes All,...
Curated OER
Teaching a Short Story
Young scholars work in small groups and prepare an analysis of a short story to be presented to their peers. They research the story and create a handout or a visual aid that cites sources of information and summarizes the main points...
Curated OER
Animal Farm Themes
In this reading comprehension worksheet, learners respond to 3 short answer and essay questions based on themes in Animal Farm. Students may also complete their choice of 3 reading activities suggested.
Curated OER
Animal Farm Theme of Power: Control over the Intellectually Inferior
For this reading comprehension worksheet, students respond to 2 short answer and essay questions based on themes in Animal Farm. Students may also complete their choice of 3 reading activities suggested.
Curated OER
Animal Farm Theme of Rules and Order
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students respond to 4 short answer and essay questions based on themes in Animal Farm. Students may also complete their choice of 3 reading activities suggested.